Photos have been removed from this issue because of a law in Kenya requiring strict documentation for photos and videos featuring school children.
Changing The World One Mind at a Time
Greetings! Here is the November issue of the Libraries For Kids, Int'l monthly e-newsletter. Thanks for your interest and support. Kuwa salama na vzuri (Swahili for "be safe and well") Roy Austin, Founder/Chair
EVERYTHING IS FIGUREOUTABLE
Clearing Hurdles
If a project is worthwhile there will be challenges and hurdles. The key is to focus on the objective, not the obstacles.
Our objective is to get books to rural Kenyan schools with little or no internet so they can have reference libraries. We've mailed books to 11 schools but how can we do more.
Hurdle 1: Fund containers holding 22,ooo books each - Done, 8 containers funded. The first container will ship around December 1, 2020. Each container will create libraries in about 150 schools.
Hurdle 2: Find a storage location in Kenya to hold books - Done, warehouse space rented in Kitui, Kenya in a secure compound with guard dog.
Hurdle 3: Distribute books to schools - This costs money
When the books arrive the container will be unloaded. Then the boxes of books will be unpacked and then sorted & repacked for transportation to the schools. Transportation means renting trucks. In some cases a truck can't get all the way to the schools so boxes will be carried by hand or on motor bikes to the schools. We will enlist volunteers wherever possible but lot of people will need to be paid and transportation costs covered.
Estimated Cost to Deliver a container of books to 150 schools is $5,000 depending on how remote the school is.
HELP: Please donate so we can get the books to the schools once they arrive in Kenya.
We've come so far and cleared so many hurdles. Please help us clear this next hurdle and get the books delivered to the schools. We will ship one container a month until all 8 have been sent. It takes 6-8 weeks for the container to arrive in Kenya.
"We give, not because we have. We have because we give."
Joyce Nanetia, Head Teacher, Amboseli Primary School, Kenya
SCHOOL OF THE MONTH
Students at Kalimeza Primary School Can’t Hide their Joy!
A week after receiving money from Libraries for Kids Int’l (LFK), Mr. Franklin Mutie and his school committee could not hide their joy. They quickly made arrangements with the booksellers at the nearest Kitui town, and immediately purchased books and school supplies that their learners desperately need. The joy in the voices of the teachers and the students were unmistakable as they unwrapped the boxes and shared the books among themselves. LFK is playing a big part in giving them hope. Thanks to the books these learners received today, they are now motivated to study harder, work harder and smarter for a brighter tomorrow.
Here are some of the pictures with students at Kalimeza right after the bookseller delivered the books to their school.
New Textbooks
Delivering the books
In Class
Please, spread the word by forwarding this email to your friends and contacts or posting excerpts (copy/paste) on your social media accounts.
Together we can make a huge difference in the lives of thousands of children.
What does your donation accomplish?
Libraries For Kids, Int'l offers not a hand out, but a hand up. Parents in rural Kenya pay tuition for their children to go to school. It is huge a sacrifice when your income is derived from a subsistence farm or your herd of sheep, goats, or cattle. But it is a testament to their hunger for knowledge.
The Kenyan government gives each rural school $5.50 per student per year. For a school with a student population of 100 that is $550.00 per year to pay for the schools expenses (teacher salaries, textbooks, supplies, etc.) As a result, textbooks and libraries are lacking.
How can people lift themselves up and solve their problems without knowledge?
Your donations are helping children in Kenya, and hopefully beyond someday, to help themselves.
I hope you will consider Libraries For Kids, Int'l.
Media Attention
- WJHL TV
- WSAV TV
- WHHI TV
- Savannah CEO News
- Sun City Hilton Head TV
Please share these stories with your friends and on your social media platforms. Thanks
For more news about Libraries For Kids, Int'l visit our website
NEWS - Community Based Organization
Libraries For Kids, Int'l is now a registered Community Based Organization in Kenya. We have applied to be a registered charity in Kenya. These steps will enable us to expand operations in Kenya and operate more efficiently.
KENYA TEACHER TESTIMONIAL
Kongoni community humbly thank Library 4 kids for the donation of books and money to cater for custom duty and buy course books in school. Parents pupils teachers are very happy education standard will really improve. Some books have nice Bible stories. Roy through madam Wanjiku you've really touched our souls we still need more books and a library room for storing books safely since kongoni is a new school in the school some of the classes share one room. Ive met with the committee and ordered books soon i will send expenditure on the same thanks in advance
Thank you so much for all the efforts made. On behalf the school, am very grateful.
Lorinah Mwabili, Head Teacher, Kongoni Primary School
The Children
It's all about the kids right? Here are some videos of the children at Kongoni Primary School
Here is a video of some students playing at Shidley Primary School located in Northeast Kenya near the Somalia border. One of their challenges is Boka Haram operates in this area and they sometimes have to flee school and hide.
Shidley Primary School
SAFARI TRIP TO AFRICA
I am organizing a trip to Kenya and Tanzania in July, 2021. 4 people have paid their deposit ($350) so there are only 4 seats left. The main trip will be from July 16 to Aug 4 and safari drives into the bush to see the animals and cultural visits to homes, schools, villages, etc. If you are interested I email me at books@libraries4kids.org for the itinerary. There is an optional pre-trip to Rwanda (gorillas) starting on July 12 and a post trip to Uganda for an additional cost. There only 2 seats left available.
If you have never seen the animals in the wild you are missing one of the grandest adventures you will ever have. I have yet to meet a person who went on a safari that wasn't captivated.
There are only 2 seats left so if you are interested please email me at books@libraries4kids.org or call me at 843-597-4826 for information.
MEET OUR BOARD
Dottie Patterson
Dottie was born and raised in Albany NY where she attended Hudson Valley Community College. She has two children, daughter Jennifer and son Michael and three grandchildren.
She worked for forty years at Chemetal, a decorative laminate manufacturer, starting at their facility in Norwalk CT in 1980 and then moving to their new facility in Easthampton, MA in 1997. She initially worked in sales/customer service then moved into accounting and purchasing and for the last twenty years worked as Customer Service and Office Manager. She retired from Chemetal at the end of 2019.
She also worked part time for seven years at H&R Block during the tax season while living in CT.
During her time in CT, she volunteered at Eagle Hill, a private school for children with learning disabilities, helping with their annual scholarship fundraising event. While working at Chemetal in MA, she volunteered to coordinate their semi- annual blood drive to raise awareness among employees in her division and to ensure a good turnout. For the last three years, she and her daughter have spent Thanksgiving mornings delivering holiday meals to disadvantaged people in Albany and the surrounding area communities.
Dottie relocated to Sun City Hilton Head from South Hadley MA. She enjoys, reading, travel, walking, cards, knitting, and volunteering
Since retiring she had been looking for a volunteer opportunity. She contacted the Bluffton Chamber of Commerce and was referred to Libraries For Kids, Int'l. She will fill the role of Secretary and work with the fundraising committee Libraries For Kids is a great fit, combining my love of books with my desire to help kids in need.
SPEAKING
We love telling the Libraries For Kids, Int'l story. If your organization needs a speaker please contact us at books@libraries4kids.org or phone us at 843-597-4826. Whether in person or via Zoom, we look forward to sharing our story.
Donor Honor Roll
Our Donor Honor Roll is based on cumulative contributions. No matter what level you are on, you are important. But your continuing support is also vital. We hope you will continue to contribute and gradually move to a higher level on the honor roll. A little each month and you will soon be at the next level.
Click Here to see the full donor Honor Roll
Here are the different honor roll levels and who is on each level. The Swahili word is in parenthesis.
Meerkat (Meerkat)
Donated books and/or money.
As of September 30, 2020 there are 107 Meerkats. Click here to see them all. Some of you are close to the Zebra level so please consider an additional donation.
Zebra (punda milia) - $100 or more
As of September 30, 2020 there are 48 Zebras. Click here to see them all
Impala (pala) - $500 or more
Delores Ackerman Kirk Fox Jim & Karen Ralston
Giraffe (twiga) - $1,000 or more
Den & Jan Austin Charleston CFO Council Mickaylla McDonald Marilyn Moore JR & Betty Rutherford Janice Allinder-Anestes Ty & Suzanne Giesemann
ORYX (choroa)- $2,500 or more
Rhinoceros (kifaru): $5,000
Sable Antelope (Mfano mzuri): $7,500 or more
Cheetah (Duma): $10,000
Rick & Becky Harris
Leopard (Chui) - $25,000 or more
Dr. David Stallings
Lion (Simba) - $50,000 or more
Roy & Sharron Austin
Elephant (Tembo) - $100,000 or more
Maasai Club - $250,000 or more
The Maasai are among the foremost African ethnic groups and are known internationally because of their links to the national parks and reserves. They respect the land and are adapting to the changing world around them.
Sharron Austin Society - $500,000 or more
Sharron was an inspiration to Libraries For Kids, Int’l Founder Roy Austin. Her life philosophy was “Life is not the way it is supposed to be. It is the way it is. How you cope with it is what makes the difference.” Her smile, positive attitude, and ability to overcome numerous challenges in her life are an inspiration to all. She died on March 29, 2020. She is sorely missed but her spirit lives on. She was an enthusiastic supporter and donor to Libraries For Kids, Int’l.
DONATE TODAY
MEET OUR PARTNERS
We are blessed to have several partners who have donated their time and services.
James Worix, owner of Worix Media is helping us with IT and media editing services.
Paul Uhls BNC Graphics 19 Seventh Ave, Bluffton, South Carolina 29910 https://bncgraphics.com/ Supplied business cards and rack cards
Dan Russin Store Manager
Morningstar Storage 1110 Fording Island Rd Bluffton, SC 29910 Donated a 10ft x 10ft space for us to store books.
Allison Debs Lewis Territory Account Manager Staples Advantage www.staplesadvantage.com Staples has donated shipping boxes.
Alan Flowers and Roman Surroundings are helping us spread the word about Libraries For Kids, Int'l. 70 Pennington Dr. Studio 16D Bluffton, SC 29910 https://www.talkoneradio.com/
